Fish and Game forecasts bountiful deer season

Deer season is already upon us, and on October 10, hunters will trade-in their bows for rifles and head back out into the hills.

The Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game said on Monday afternoon this year’s outlook is some good news for hunters.

Fish and Game spokesperson Jennifer Jackson said these past mild winters are a contributing factor in the abundant numbers of deer and the wider age class selection as well.

“Because the last three winters here have been fairly mild in southeastern Idaho, we have had some carryover in our fauns that survived the winters and carried over to grow into adults the following year,” Jackson said.

She added, these mild winters also allowed more forage to grow, translating into fatter game which are also in better physical condition.

Jackson said more information will become available once the checkpoints open after the season starts.

She would also like to remind hunters that dove season has been extended until the end of October.